We have created a simple template letter to send to your local authority, to enquire as to whether they plan to make use of the government’s £60 million fund for public swimming pools.
The government's Swimming Pool Support Fund (SPSF) provides a total of £60 million to local authorities in England as a support package for public leisure facilities with swimming pools and is split into two phases.
Phase I - Revenue: £20m is available to support facilities with swimming pools with increased cost pressures, leaving them most vulnerable to closure or significant service reduction.
Phase II - Capital: £40m will also be made available by the government for capital investment to improve the energy efficiency of public facilities with pools in the medium to long term.
Sport England have made £20m of Lottery funding available to complement the government's £40m capital fund, which they hope will increase the number of facilities benefiting from these facility improvements.
Applications must be from a local authority that:
· is based in England,
· has at least one swimming pool, which the support will ensure remains open – with a commitment from the local authority to ensure that public swimming pool provision will be maintained
· have applied for funding towards eligible costs.
We know that many Disabled people are worried that their local swimming pools may close as a result of funding issues. So, we have created a template letter for Disabled people and Disabled People’s Organisations to use to urge their local authorities to apply to the fund, and offer support to do so. We hope that this letter will encourage more authorities to apply, and to do so in collaboration with their local Disabled community. You can download the letter below.